Pakistan, US begin key trade talks as tariff relief takes centre stage

Pakistan and the United States began two-day trade talks in Washington on Thursday, with tariff relief topping the agenda as Islamabad seeks lower US import duties and progress on a broader bilateral trade agreement, Dawn reported.

The Pakistani delegation, led by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul and including Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, is holding negotiations with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) through Friday.

The talks follow months of discussions over US tariffs announced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Officials said a Pakistani delegation secured a reduction in the proposed tariff on Pakistani exports from 29pc to 19pc during talks in Washington earlier this month.

The tariff framework has since changed after the US Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA-based duties. The Trump administration has imposed a temporary global tariff of 10pc under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which expires on July 24.

Pakistan is also facing a proposed additional 10pc tariff under a Section 301 investigation by the USTR over alleged forced labour and related trade practices. Islamabad submitted another response to the USTR on Wednesday ahead of the talks.

Beyond tariffs, both sides are expected to discuss a broader trade agreement aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment. The United States is Pakistan's largest single-country export market, while Pakistan is the second-largest importer of US cotton.